There are a lot of choices when looking for a Los Angeles Transmission Shop. From national chains to mom and pop businesses to start-ups out of a friends garage, a customer with transmission problems may have to look long and hard for the best place.

In all the transmission shops in Los Angeles, there are some things you should look for:

Certifications: American Automobile Association certification (AAA), Automatic Transmission Group membership (ATSG) and Automotive Service Excellence certification (ASE). These are the three biggest certifications behind hands-on experience in repairing transmissions. The only problem with hands-on experience in Los Angeles transmission shops is that it is hard to tell at first glance. One glance at the certifications within a specific shop will let the customer know that their car is in professional hands.

Experience: not just a being a dab hand at repairing the transmission of one model, company or type or vehicle, but also experience with transmissions on foreign imports and foreign car companies. Having worked on one type of vehicle or with one company’s distinct transmission may be good for a national chain, but national chains may only be experienced with Ford and Chrysler, and not BMW or Fiat. Looking for a Los Angeles transmission shop that is experienced with foreign cars might be tough, but well worth it if you do not have to transport the vehicle further than within the city.

Costs: let’s face it, to save a few bucks, why not go to a small, family owned shop that has only one or two, or even none, of the aforementioned certifications? These Los Angeles transmission shops may not have the customer service qualities that the best shops have, and may cause more problems in the future than they solve. Of course, it is possible to get the best customer service at a rate lower than the national chain. Look into the warranties as well: how much does an 18-month warranty cost? If it costs nothing, why is that? Warranties are abundant for many products, even ones toilet, and often cost a little extra. But if there is a shop that offers a no-cost warranty, has all three of the above certifications and can handle the foreign make of ones transmission, then that shop is probably the best bet.

The longest lasting Los Angeles transmission shops are the ones that take customer service seriously. There are probably thousands of transmission repair shops in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, but the successful and lasting shops are the ones that maintain good relationships with their customers. Do they check up on the functionality of the car after it has been serviced? What does the warranty cover? What hours of the day do they cover? Will they tow your car at 2:55 a.m. on a Sunday night? Does the business offer free education and advice on how to take care of ones car, if fixing said car is worthwhile and if the car will cost more in the long run? Many Los Angeles transmission shops provide these services and meet all the requirements so look into it today.

This article was written by Robby Waterbury on behalf of Westside Transmission, a car transmission repair services shop for over two decades providing the best transmission services in Los Angeles. To know about the common car transmission problems, visit carsdirect.com